We live in a culture that really likes convenient and comfortable. In my convenient and comfortable life, I confess I have not devoted myself to fellowship, sharing in meals with my fellow believers, and to prayer. The Greek verb we translate to “devoted” literally means “to be steadfastly attentive to, to continue all the time, to persevere and not to faint.”
To be steadfastly attentive to, to continue all the time, and to persevere in prayer, fellowship and the teaching God has for me is not convenient! I tell myself I have other things that require my time and attention – family, work, activities – and those aren’t bad things. But, when we first focus on devotion to the things that bring us closer to God, we can show up in more fullness, grace and love for the things and people we love.
The early church we read about in Acts devoted themselves to a life characterized by fellowship, learning and prayer. Honestly, the world the early church was formed in was not comfortable or convenient. They really didn’t have much else to lean on. They had God and one another. We might venture to say it was actually easier for them to devote themselves to these things because they literally didn’t have much – material possessions, physical wealth, or devices – that demanded their attention. And because of their devotion, they saw signs and wonders, they worshiped freely with one another at the temple and in their homes, they praised God, and the Lord continued to add more and more people to this huge Jesus party – on Earth and in heaven!
As a church, we have a vision to make heaven more crowded. This happens when we devote ourselves to the things God knows will help us overflow to the world around us – fellowship, his teaching and prayer. I know it is probably more convenient to fit in these practices when it works for you. I also know God doesn’t fit in our box. Our devotion to him, above all else, as inconvenient and uncomfortable as it might be, results in an overflow, revival, and massive Jesus party that the world around us can’t miss.
Don’t miss it! Be in awe – watch for the signs and wonders.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to see your signs and wonders! I want to be in awe of you every day. Lord, help me to devote my life to you. Show me how I can grow in that today. One step at a time, one minute at a time. Help me to grow closer to you so I can shine your light more and more. Jesus, we want your party to come to Earth and to make heaven more crowded! Amen.